Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Aaron Plessinger charged to his first career 450SX main event victory at round three of the 2024 AMA Supercross Championships at the weekend.
He produced a convincing win in rain-soaked conditions in San Diego and grabbed the series points lead in the process.
KTM team-mate Chase Sexton, the defending supercross champion, raced to eighth in the 450cc class and is now positioned second in the standings.
In a tight 450SX class qualifying session, Plessinger was P13 on the time-sheets, before storming to the second heat race win of the evening. That set him up for a breakout result inside Snapdragon Stadium amidst the steady rain falling in the region.
Powering his bike to a top-five start in the main event, Plessinger looked right at home as he battled at the front of the field, exercising patience as he closed in on the lead at the midway mark.
An eventual pass for P1 and a well-managed race up front earned AP his first-career 450SX main event – a popular result after coming so close during his career previously.
“Man, San Diego! It was a really good race, managed to get into the lead around the midway point, and just rode clean laps, stayed up, and got the win,” said Plessinger afterwards.
“On top of that, we take the red plate and points lead into the next round, which is huge for me. We had a great off-season … the team and I worked super-hard and to start the season with 4-5-1 results is my best start ever!
“The fans were crazy sticking it out here in the rain, so I’m stoked to be able to deliver a result to them, and ready to do it again next weekend.”
Defending 450SX champion Sexton looked sharp from the outset in San Diego, charging to the third-fastest lap time in a shortened qualifying program due to weather, and notching a time just two-tenths shy of pole position.
After racing to seventh place in his heat race following a troubled start, Sexton would also experience adversity in the main event, with the number 1 caught up in the chaos of the mid-pack early on.
He clawed his way from the rear of the field to capture a hard-fought eighth-place finish, now one point behind Plessinger in the series.
The next round is set for Anaheim, California, on January 27.
Results 450SX Class – San Diego:
- Aaron Plessinger (USA), KTM, 22 laps
- Cooper Webb (USA), Yamaha, +2.188
- Justin Barcia (USA), GASGAS, +22.099
Standings 450SX Class 2024 after 3 of 17 rounds:
- Aaron Plessinger, 60 points
- Chase Sexton, 59
- Jett Lawrence, 56
Results 250SX West Class – San Diego:
- Nate Thrasher (USA), Yamaha, 16 laps
- Garrett Marchbanks (USA), Yamaha, +1.203
- Jordon Smith (USA), Yamaha, +5.141
Standings 250SX West Class 2024 after 3 of 9 rounds:
- Jordon Smith, 67 points
- Levi Kitchen, 59
- Garrett Marchbanks, 57
Photo courtesy KTM
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